The Story of Solace Avery Darius Ness
He learned early that loud grief frightens people,
so he practiced sinking softly, quietly, never a mess.
Not in oceans, there too many can see.
But in the small waters inside him,
the kind no one notices until they pull you under.
He kept still as he slipped deeper,
softly soaking in dark waters, calm,
so calm you’d think he was praying.
He never thrashed or called for help.
As the ache rose inch by inch,
he held himself painfully steady.
No one could tell whether it was grief
or the cold water brushing down his cheeks
as it finally closed over him.
And when the weight pulled him down at last,
he went quiet,
beautifully quiet.
As if to spare the world the sound
of someone breaking.
And that was the last breath
of Solace Avery Darius Ness.